Agony of De-FEET

In Judges chapter 1 we learn about a Character named Adoni-Bezek. This guy is subdued by the tribes of Judah and Simeon and has his Thumbs & Big Toes cut off! Ouch! Talk about agony of De-FEET! But in all seriousness, even he recognizes a Biblical principal- take your pick- Do unto others..., eye for an eye..., whatsoever a man sows..., Vengeance is mine thus saith the Lord..., and on and on.

But though he admits that some 70 kings had been defeated in battle and had eaten from the scraps of his table that fell below it as they too crawled around with no thumbs or toes, he seems to recognize this to be at the hand of God... retribution!(Justice)

It just reminds me that I am TRULY GLAD that God has given us MERCY & GRACE- Justice is getting what we deserve. Mercy is not getting what we deserve. Grace is getting what we don't deserve. This is what we find at the Cross of Calvary!

Perhaps a fresh visit to Calvary is what is needed? Salvation? Confession? Adoration? Forgiveness? Strength?

Are you feeling a bit DEFEATED today? Is there an area of Sin that has caused this punishment? If so, confess it, ask for the forgiveness that only God can give! Perhaps, this is just one of those trials that is here for the testing of your faith? If so, don't do as the Israelites did in Judges chapter 1 and begin to disobey the voice of the Lord (ch. 2:1-5 also) but walk in obedience, in the VICTORY That Jesus Christ has provided. Don't do as they did and settle for sin in the camp, or as Dan did, by surrendering to the enemy. But instead do as they did in the beginning of Chapter 1; Ask God, Let God answer, and then do as He says! This will always lead to Success!

God Speed!

In Christ,
Pastor Jeremy V.

Do You Desire God? - Paul Washer

Tired?

Ever notice how when you get so tired that you begin to dose... It becomes near impossible to keep your eyes open, you sort of drift in and out of consciousness. SLEEP! SLEEP! YOU ARE GETTING VERRRRY SLEEEPY!!!

It's like an old black & white film where the gypsy is trying to hypnotize you.

But isn't this like what is taking place in the Western Culture and the Church when it comes to Spiritual Truth, Zeal, & Holy living?

We have grown tired of the Relationship in some ways? Like an old married couple that becomes so close and comfortable that we forget how to serve one another, love one another, & uplift one another. Yet with us it is MOST DEFINITELY one sided. We know it's not Christ that has grown weary... but have we (The Church- The Bride) began to find it impossible to keep our eyes open to the Spiritual Truth, only to begin drifting in and out of consciousness when it comes to our calling as followers of Jesus Christ? In fact it may be said that many of us are completely asleep. Sleep Walking as it is, in a trance of sorts, & the Religious would say, "Do not dare wake them up! I hear it can cause them harm!"

As we go through the motions of weekly service it's as if we are watching the gypsy dangle the swinging pocket watch (time) before our eyes. Who is this Gypsy you may ask? You tell me? But he is gripping us with his hypnotic power. Why can't we seem to fight it? Why is it we can't snap out of it? "My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak."

Will you help me and the countless others? Will you be a part of the "SHAKER AWAKERS"? I want us to encourage one another to AWAKE... to get out of the complacent Religious Shaker that holds the Salt and help clear away that which has clogged the spout so we can become the seasoning God intended us to be. So that we do not lose our savor. Please share your thoughts, scriptural passages, wisdom, personal stories, to help encourage the Saints to awake from their slumber and to be refreshed with the Shower of Christ's Mercy & Grace, and sip on the cup of Jehovah java, if you will, to get us going this, and every morning that He gives us to live for Him & His name.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans -"And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." - Romans 13:11

DO YOU HEAR THAT? THAT IS THE ALARM SOUNDING... WILL YOU HIT THE SNOOZE? OR IS IT TIME TO RISE AND SHINE?